Cathedral Arts started its first season at Christ Church Cathedral in Ottawa this fall with an organ recital by Matthew Larkin, the cathedral's new organist and director of music.

The arts program will offer a diversity of entertainment throughout the year ranging from classical and choral music to cabaret and theatre.

Performers include the National Capital Concert Band with Music for a Joyous Season on Dec. 7; the Polokwane Choral Society from the northern province of Limpopo presents South Africa Sings next June; an interdenominational choral evensong for Candlemas will be followed by Ladysmith Black Mambazo next February; and the Cantata Singers of Ottawa will present a series next May.

"Cathedral Arts is a new manifestation of our public ministry in the nation's capital,?"says cathedral dean Shane Parker. "In Cathedral Arts, we strive to celebrate the creativity of God's creation through music, theatre and visual arts."